Where have you been...Most sensible people would take the refined and well geared 5 speed Ford box over the pea-soup stiring, oddly greared 6 speed of the Holden. Ford are looking at a proven 6 speeder for the update I have heard.

The XR6T price is alot lower than the SS and with more power. The XR8 is a fraction more (only a fraction due to optional 18' wheels) but with alot more power...and technology...quality....bonnet bulge!!

If gear ratios and diff ratios are selected and matched to suit the torque characteristics of an engine then a five -speed box will be quite adequate.

Unfortunately however, in the case of the new V8s which will have the Tremec TR3650 gearbox, the ratios (if they stay the same as for the T3s, and I believe they are) are poorly choosen in my opinion. It is really a six speed gearbox with fifth gear gone missing!

I don't think you can hold up the Holden six speeder as a good example of a gearbox either - it's really only a four speed with a couple of extra ratios thrown in just as a marketing exercise.